Hi all, I hope everyone is ok after the the carnage Storm Doris has left behind it. We escaped much of it in Bridgend, but my heart goes out to those affected. Keep safe and warm.

It's the time of year when we start thinking of pressies to give our Mothers or Grandmothers for Mother's day. This is a cute little box which can be filled with sweets or made into a vase and filled with flowers or a plant.

Items used

Craft Perfect Bright White card - 9016e

Craft Perfect Amethyst Purple card - 9055e

Lilac spotted card from stash

10mm Tonic corner rounder - 257e

Tonic Layering basics - Scalloped squares - 1453e

Tonic Layering basics - squares - 1452e

Nuvo Crystal drops - Crushed Grape - 662n

Tonic Entwining Trellis -Bellus Buttercup - 767e

Purple spotted ribbon from stash

Card sizes

Purple card - 10.5" x 8.25" (26 x 21cm)

White card - 5" x 2.5" (10 x 5cm)

Lilac spotted card - 4.75" x 2.25" (9.5 x 4.25 cm)

Purple card for base 3" x 3" ( 6.5 x 6.5cm) x 3 pieces

Instructions

Score long side of card at 2.5, 5, 7.5 & 10" ( 5, 10, 15 & 20cm)

Score short side of card at 0.5, 3 & 6" (1, 7 & 15cm)

Trim off small rectangles on top and bottom at right side of card.

Cut to 1st scoreline on base and 2nd scoreline on top of card.

Trim top 2 flaps off the last box side. This will be the front of the box.

Trim 1st and 2nd side flaps in half. These will be inside flaps to the box

Using corner rounder shape tops of remaining flaps.

Glue side tab to side of box.

Glue bottom flaps together to form base.

Take white and spotted rectangles and and round all 4 corners of the spotted rectangles and just the top corners of the white rectangles.

Layer the rectangles and score at 1.5" (3.5cm)

Place some super sticky tape around the top and bottom of the box.

Remove tape on one side of the box at a time. Stick the straight edges side of the white rectangle to the base edge of the box.

Repeat on all 4 sides

Remove tape at the top of the box, again one side at a time. Stick the folded edge of the card in line with the top of the box.

Repeat on all 4 sides

Cut a scalloped square shape in white card and a square in spotted card. Place into the lid of the box using 3d foam pads

Friday, 3 February 2017

Hi everyone, I really don't know where this week has gone, it's flown under my nose. Tonic Towers has been so busy with a lovely buzz about our new Woodland Buildable dies. There are 4 sets of dies launched and you can build the most adorable creatures.

Here's a couple of projects I made using theses dies.

I'd like to introduce you to Harry Hedgehog. I have used the set of dies to build Harry and put him in a 3d frame which would look perfect on any little boys bedroom wall.

The balloons are from the Betty Bunny die set.

Here's a video showing how to make the frame from start to finish

Olivia Owl said Wise Teacher to me, so I thought I would make a Teacher's gift which is inexpensive, but would be a treasured gift.

To make the notebook I took a plain front book from a Bargain shop and covered the front with fabric.

I placed an iron on stiffener to the back of the cotton fabric to be die cut. The eyes, eyelashes, beak and feet were cut from felt and the glasses from funky foam. I wanted to try the dies on lots of different textures and they worked a dream. I glued all the parts in place using Tonic Funky glue, Anyone who knows me will say I'm not a fan of sewing, so this project was perfect for me.

About me

My name is Alison Whelan, I am a Craft Designer for Tonic Studios. I am so lucky to be able to turn my hobby into my job. My crafting life is similar to many crafters, started crafting as a child and never stopped. I still do a bit of knitting and crochet, but most of my time is spent Papercrafting.

I've been married to Alan for 29 years and have one Son, James. We have a little fur baby to keep us on our toes called Harvey, he's a miniature Jack Russell.